The latest round of congressional and state legislative redistricting maps, which the California Citizens Redistricting Commission approved this morning, favor Democrats--at least according to a couple of different news sources.

In his blog post today, OC Register political reporter Martin Wisckol cites both the Associated Press and the San Jose Mercury News saying the maps bode well for dems.

The AP writes:

"Redistricting experts said the new maps are likely to reduce the influence of Republicans even further. Democrats are hoping the redrawn districts will allow them to achieve the two-thirds majority needed in the Legislature to pass tax increases, while the number of Republicans California sends to Congress--now 19--could be reduced by as many as five."

In Orange County, the new maps improve things a bit for Democrats, too.

Currently, the county has five districts that favor Republicans and only one that favors Democrats, Wisckol writes, but the new redistricting lines create two districts that favor Democrats, to the Republicans' four.

What's more, these maps will pit OC Reps. Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar) and Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) against one another to compete for a single district seat, Wisckol writes. And, the map splits Little Saigon into two districts.

After these new redistricting lines are certified on Aug. 15, Wisckol reports, groups can start to file lawsuits.